Prenatal Care

What Is Prenatal Care?

At Nurture Women’s Health, we’re committed to supporting you through every stage of your pregnancy with personalized, attentive prenatal care. Our experienced OB/GYN team offers comprehensive services—from your first positive test to postpartum recovery—ensuring both you and your baby stay healthy. We tailor each visit to your unique needs, providing regular checkups, ultrasounds, genetic screenings, and expert guidance. Whether it’s your first baby or you’re growing your family, our warm, professional environment is designed to give you peace of mind and compassionate care every step of the way.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE PRENATAL CARE?

Prenatal care is essential to the health of yourself and your growing baby. Statistics show that mothers who do not receive any form of prenatal care during their pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child who is underweight. Babies born to mothers who went through pregnancy without being monitored by a healthcare professional are five times more likely not to survive through the pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Why is this? Didn’t women have children for generations without doctors or monitoring? Yes, but the mortality rate was very high. Early prenatal monitoring gives your doctor the ability to spot and treat health problems that would otherwise have an adverse impact on the mother and child. This early treatment is capable of curing many issues as well as preventing others. Prenatal care is also important for preparing a woman for motherhood. Your doctor can give you vital guidance throughout your pregnancy that will help you to give your child the very best start in life.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PRENATAL VISIT?

Your first prenatal visit at Nurture Women’s Health is a hefty one. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history as well as any health problems that your family members have. You will have a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and a pap smear. You will give both a blood and urine sample to be tested in the lab. Your blood pressure will also be checked, as well as your weight and height. Be sure to ask your doctor any questions that you might have; remember, they are there to help. After this first visit, follow-up exams are much briefer. You will have your blood pressure monitored throughout your pregnancy. Your doctor will always check your weight, measure your growing belly and listen for the baby’s heartbeat. Your doctor will also order routine lab tests throughout your pregnancy.